Dear Wakefield MAG member,
Welcome to the Wakefield MAG e-newsletter. If you can’t attend our Wednesday meetings regularly, it’s the next best thing to keep you up to date with what we are up to.
CONTENTS
1) Saddleworth Moor Rideout Report
2) Rally Tickets
3) Freedom Run update
4) Wakefield MAG Bike Show
5) MAG Annual General Conference
6) Pot Hole Campaign
7) Motorcycle Test EDM
8) Riders Are Voters (RAV)
9) Ganton Gathering
10) Wakefield MAG Sea Fishing Trip
11) Forthcoming Events (for May and beyond)
Riders Are Voters 2010 - The Motorcycling Manifesto
1) Saddleworth Moor Rideout Report
Twenty bikes and one trike met up at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms for our April rideout - our advertised and much awaited Saddleworth Moor excursion, up t'hill and t'over t'moors. After our obligatory photo call, we saddled up and headed west.
We took the A642 Horbury Road out of Wakefield, picking up the B6118, through Bradley to the north of Huddersfield, then joining the A643 at Ainley Top, then the A640 at Outlane. We then crossed the M62 and onto splendid biking roads and scenic moorland, passing Scammonden Water and Deanhead Reservoir, then Dowry Reservoir and dropping into Denshaw.
In Denshaw, a sharp left (that was more of a U turn), onto the A6052 towards Delph, where we picked up the A62 and on to our first stop of the rideout, the Carriage House public house, set in stunning moorland scenery. A slight hang around until they opened, then multiple drink and food orders were made.
After our watering stop, a quick backtrack to get to the A670, through Uppermill to the A635, past Dovestone & Yeoman Hey reservoirs, and through more spectacular moorland scenery, towards our second stop, Holmfirth (Last of the Summer Wine country). A quick look at the popular tourist town, then to the famous fish & chip shop, that you could smell several hundred yards before you saw it.
Following this second stop, we took the A635 out of Holmfirth towards New Mill and Upper Cumberworth, then picking up Denby Dale Road (A636), in Denby Dale funnily enough, en-route back to the beautiful cathedral City of Wakefield (?!?).
The weather stayed dry enough until most folks had arrived home (and then the heavens opened).
A most pleasant rideout, through most picturesque scenery, and highly recommended, if you fancy a bit of a moorland excursion.
Our branch allocation of Into the Valley tickets have now been returned but we still have Farmyard Party and Yorkshire Pudding Rally tickets for sale at our meetings.
Farmyard Party is on Friday 18th - Sunday 20th June at Duncombe Park Estate, Helmsley. Tickets are £25.00 if you buy them in advance, which is a considerable saving over the £35.00 on the gate price.
Yorkshire Pudding Rally is on Friday 6th - Sunday 8th August at Hesley Wood Scout Camp, Chapeltown, Nr Sheffield. This event is pre-book only and is very nearly sold out already. We will have our branch tickets for another 2-3 weeks only before any unsold tickets are recalled back to MAG Towers for the ticket hotline. So if you want tickets to this most splendid event, you will need to get them quick, as once they are sold out, there will be no more for sale anywhere (except possibly eBay, at considerably more than the £15 ticket price !!!).
If you can't make the meetings but still want tickets in advance, drop us an email or give me a ring (0772 078 4734) with your requirements and we will get back to you.
An update on the East Yorkshire MAG Freedom demo run, which is to take place on Saturday 1st May:
After lots of email's and several meetings, the police have agreed to assist EY MAG with the demo, and additionally the council 'traffic light' man will be 'tweaking' the lights so we stay as a group.
To obtain this help, we have had to compromise and we have agreed NOT to ride down Ferensway on safety grounds; the main focus of this demonstration is Riders are Voters, while we do have issues with Achilles (the methods NOT the aims) and the Humber Bridge tolls, these are secondary issues on this Demo.
As part of our agreement, the police have told us that they will publicise the event in the Hull Daily Mail 'with their backing'. EY MAG felt that getting to 50,000 Hull Daily Mail readers would far outweigh being seen by 1-2000 people in Hull City centre, (to be honest they have had nightmares about how to deal with the Mytongate roundabout - 2 lanes into 3 into 1 (with traffic lights) over 200 yards, across the extremely busy A63).
The run will start from The Riverside Cafe, Beverley HU17 0LD at 11.30am (meeting from 10.30am, for those who want to get there early and enjoy a bite to eat and a cuppa), riding straight down Beverley road (A1174 - A1079), to Hull City centre and then out on the A63 to the Humber Bridge Cafe car park,
Riders are Voters (RAV) have held several successful question time themed events around the country, which have proven very enjoyable and informative to both Riders and prospective MP's.
EY MAG have decided to copy this success and hold a Question and Answer debate in the car park after the demo run, starting around 12.45 - 1pm.
Candidates confirmed for the event are as follows:
Each candidate will be given several minutes to give us their parties motorcycle policy, after which we will have questions from 'YOU' the riders. Have you got a motorcycle related question to want to put to prospective MP's ? MAG speeches will also be made by MAG El Presidente Ian Mutch, General Secretary Nich Brown & Campaigns Co-ordinator Paddy Tyson
EY MAG are still waiting to hear from the TV stations, to confirm their coverage of the event.
For those who are attending ITV, we will be heading back to the site in time for the comedians.
Mrs B's Cafe at the Humber Bridge is also putting on a hog roast, for those that are feeling hungry
EY MAG have informed the police to expect 1000 bikes and it would be a shame to disappoint them, wouldn't it?
Wakefield MAG are holding a rideout to the demo, and we will meet at our normal place and time - 09:30 at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms, Thornes Park, off Thornes Road, Wakefield, leaving at 10:00, thus leaving ample time to get to the Riverside Cafe for the 11:30 start. All Wakefield MAG members who attend the demo will receive a massive 75 points to boost their branch points total !!!
Our popular annual bike show will again be held at the Wakefield Hospice May Day Gala, on the Bank Holiday Monday on 3rd May 2010. The bike show, which is FREE to enter, will be held at Wakefield's Clarence Park Arena, between Denby Dale Road & Horbury Road. The Show will be judged at 15:00, and entry into the show will be from 09:15 onwards (Gala officially opens at 10:00).
We have multiple show categories (Modern, Classic Brit, Classic Jap, Vintage, Custom Paint, Custom Engineering, Rat, Trike & Overall Best in Show) to cater for all types of Bike & Trike.
We have the certificates and show prizes, we have the Yorkshire MAG stand, we have products, we have MAG literature and freebies, our show marshals are poised and ready, we are listed as a key attraction on the Hospice Gala publicity, all we need now are lots and lots of bikes in the show !!
All are most welcome to come along and show off their pride & Joy, and there will be lots to do at the Gala whilst waiting to see if your bike has won. It's the 20th anniversary of the Hospice this year so let's make the bike show our biggest and best yet !!!!
5) MAG Annual General Conference
MAG's 2010 Annual Group Conference was held on Saturday 10th April at the Moat House Inn, Kings Coughton, B49 5QF (south of Redditch, where they made those mighty fine Royal Enfield motorcycles). The AGC started at 10:00 and finished at 17:00, but despite it being one of the longest I've ever attended, it was also one of the most upbeat, positive and 'buzzing' AGC's I've ever attended. MAG is really on a roll at the moment, and as a political lobbying organisation, which is after all our primary remit, we are absolutely unbeatable !!!
We had some great speeches from our Chair, Paul Turner, El Presidente Ian Mutch, Nich Brown, MAG's General Secretary & Paddy Tyson, MAG's Campaigning Co-Ordinator. As well as the amazing successes of the RAV Campaign (see RAV section in this newsletter), we have big well known corporate members queueing up to join our ranks like never before. This is of course, great news for MAG and great news for MAG members.
We also had talks from NABD, and ex-Greater London Regional Rep Gerard Livett, who is now the Chairman of Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA), our voice in Europe.
Election wise, the following National Officers were elected:
Only one motion was presented to the conference, and that covered creating Lincolnshire as an autonomous region, leaving the residual counties as the 'Eastern' region. This was presented last year but not passed as no one had stepped forward to act of Regional Rep for the new region. However, that role had been filled, so the motion was passed by conference. A warm welcome to our new neighbours, Lincolnshire Region.
Numerous awards were presented for services to the MAG cause, and it is great to be able to announce that the Simon Millward Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Fergus O'Connell.
One more item particularly worthy of note, was that Dorchester MAG, who were formed as a brand new MAG branch only 5 weeks prior to the AGC, presented a donation of £1,000 to the MAG fighting fund. How on earth did they manage that ?!?!!? .... Truly amazing and respect due guys !!!!
A full report will appear in the next issue of the Road, but don't forget that you read it here first !!!
Our pot hole campaign is already achieving great success within the Wakefield district. Seven separate reports have been made to date, with each report covering several failed road surfaces. As a result of these reports, roads have now been repaired thus removing the potential for accidents to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Our pot hole campaign was launched at our AGM back in January to improve conditions for motorcyclists in Wakefield and the surrounding District, by initiating repairs to the dreadful and dangerous state of some of our areas roads. A shocking statistic is that 15% of motorcycle casualties are a direct result of poor road conditions.
Wakefield Council can be contacted using the link from the Wakefield MAG web site (Local MAG page > Report a Pot Hole). By a small amount of effort, we can achieve real tangible results, and it might just save a biker's life.
To encourage a bit of healthy competition, we are awarding branch points for every pot hole repaired, as a result of a pot hole report submitted by a Wakefield MAG member. Simply submit the report reference number (given when you report the pot hole) to us (by email, phone or in person at the Wednesday meetings) and we will add all these up over the course of the year, and the member with the most points will win a prize at our AGM in January 2011.
And for the record, Lisa Brooker is currently in front after 4 months, but it's all still up for grabs !!!
Following the call to action to contact your MP's and urge them to sign EDM 1002 which addresses the DSA fiasco over the new testing regime, a good many of you did that and EDM 1002 has been signed by 116 MP's, before parliament was dissolved following the announcement of the UK General Election.
A huge Thank You for the last minute action of all activists. It's a great result and demonstration of how we can really achieve something in record time, when we really want to.
The Riders are Voters (RAV) campaign is in full swing. A number of RAV Question & Answer events have been held up and down the country including Kings Lynn, Milton Keynes, Salisbury, Slough, Bristol, London, Whitehaven and the last one scheduled at the Humber Bridge on Saturday 1st May, following the Freedom Run. The events have been very well attended, both by bikers and prospective MP's. The idea is that they each give an overview of their parties motorcycling policies, and then can be questioned by riders themselves. The feedback from MP's has been tremendous, all stating they have learnt an awful lot, and several actually joining MAG. A Riders Are Voters Motorcycling Manifesto has been produced, highlighting what motorcycling is all about for MP's (remember that few actually ride motorcycles, so are simply not aware of the issues).
The key message given to MP's is that there is an average of 4,500 bikers in each constituency, and nearly all are eligible voters, so ignore them at your peril. Many MPs have a current majority that is much smaller than the number of riders in the constituency. Some have a majority smaller the number of MAG members in a constituency. Politicians really do need riders' votes. Ask your MP what they intend to do for motorcyclists.
The RAV campaign has been covered on the TV, local radio and press, putting MAG's profile sky high. A great result.
Details of this years Ganton Gathering Rally have now been made available, and is to be hosted by our good friends in Scarborough MAG, on Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd August, at Ganton Wold Farm, YO12 4PG. 2 Bands playing Friday and Saturday, Bonfire, Beer tent, Food. Tickets are £15 each, prebook only and there is a strict 800 limit. Tickets are available from Scarborough MAG - Send SAE to Stuart Gething, 26 Linden Road, Scarborough YO12 5SN. Enquiries: 07810 747865
10) Wakefield MAG Sea Fishing Trip
We are currently organising a Wakefield MAG Sea Fishing Trip. The trip has been organised for Saturday 2nd October, and we will be joining our 'North Sea Trawler', the Flamer II (www.flamer11.co.uk) out of Hartlepool (better fishing opportunities than the Yorkshire coast according to Mick Culpan, our resident fishing expert). It's a full day trip (8am – 5pm), cost is £30, and we are taking £10 deposits now to secure your place. Our boat takes a max of 12 anglers, and we have a few spaces left unbooked. Let us know if you would like to come along. All the relevant equipment is provided (rods, reels & bait), all you need are waterproofs and something to eat and drink. We will be fishing for Cod, Ling & Pollack (apparently) and there is a trophy up for grabs for the biggest fish landed. All in all, sounds like a fun day and it's a bit different from our usual activities.
Also at the early stages of planning, are a visit to the Speedway at Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield, a Paintballing challenge, and a visit to the National Bikesafe event. Watch this space for more info !!!
11) Forthcoming Events (for May and beyond)
Friday 30th April - Sunday 2nd May - Into the Valley
The first of the Yorkshire MAG rallies, at a brand new site in South Dalton in the East Riding.
Saturday 1st May - East Yorkshire MAG Freedom Run
See Above
Monday 3rd May (May Day Bank Holiday) - Wakefield MAG Bike Show
See Above
Sunday 9th May - Wakefield MAG rideout to Matlock Bath
Meet 9:30am (leaving at 10:00am) at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms, Thornes Park, off Thornes Road, Wakefield
Saturday 22nd May - Leeds MAG Celebration Run
Leeds MAG are hosting a Celebration Run on Saturday 22nd May. The run leaves the Red Lion public house (on the A64, just inside the Leeds boundary) at 13:00, for a police escorted ride through Leeds City Centre, and finishing at the The Dragon on Whitehall Road (A58). Following the Celebration Run / Demo ride, a 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' Bike show will be held at the Dragon (entry fee to raise funds for MAG).
Wakefield MAG will meet at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms, Thornes Park, off Thornes Road, Wakefield, at 11:00, leaving at 11:30, for a ride-over to the Red Lion Celebration Run assembly point. The police escorted Leeds demo runs are always great fun, and a superb spectacle for Leeds City Centre Shoppers, so really hope you can make it.
Friday 4th - Sunday 6th June - Edinburgh MAG Rally
Our annual pilgrimage to one of MAG's best kept secrets, the Ag Ol Anns An Achadh Rally at West Torphin Farm, Harburn, West Calder, West Lothian, Edinburgh
Sunday 13th June - Wakefield MAG Branch Run to Tan Hill Inn
Meet 9:30am (leaving at 10:00am) at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms, Thornes Park, off Thornes Road, Wakefield
Friday 18th - Sunday 20th June - Farmyard Party
The one and only FYP, the biggest biker only rally in the UK.
Saturday 3rd July - Wakefield MAG Midsummer Mayhem Party Night
We are selling tickets to our inaugural Midsummer Mayhem Party Night on Saturday 3rd July, at the Horse & Groom Inn, Heath, Wakefield. All the usual MAG party night attractions including live music from local band (and MAG members) Twist of Fate, Silly Games, Raffle, Hot Snacks, Fancy Dress (optional, but prize for the best outfit) and lots more. Demand is high and entry by Pre-Book ticket only so be sure to get yours quick before they sell out. Tickets are only £5 and available from our branch meetings. If you can't make the meetings, let us know (via email or phone) and we'll reserve your tickets.
Sunday 11th July - Wakefield MAG Treasure Hunt (Branch run with a difference !!)
Meet 9:30am (to get clues/instructions) at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms, Thornes Park, off Thornes Road, Wakefield. (Treasure Hunt will leave at 10:00am prompt). £1 per entrant (to cover cost of prizes).
That's all for this month and I hope to see you all soon.
Ride Safe
Steve Travis
Chairman
Wakefield MAG
0772 078 4734
Wakefield MAG meet at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield at 8:30pm every Wednesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.
Riders Are Voters 2010 - The Motorcycling Manifesto
Motorcycles and scooters have the potential to address many transport problems, also helping to reduce social exclusion, transport Co2 and improve quality of life.
The potential benefits, both as a popular form of transport and as recreation, have been suppressed by a general failure of local and national authorities to 'Think Bike'. The UK's principal Motorcycle organisations call on the next Parliament to ensure that future transport, business and social policy realises the full potential of biking by:
An estimated 5,000 voters in each constituency have an interest in motorcycling issues. By virtue of age and background, the vast majority of these are likely to cast a vote in the next General Election.
Motorcycling represents a significant voice in the UK and deserves a far better deal that it currently gets. The UK's motorcycle riders, industry and sports are asking for your support on issues that concern them. Motorcycling represents a greatly untapped source of solutions for many issues facing society:
Significant contributions are made to national and local economies by motorcycle manufacture, sales and service, sport, transport and leisure. Motorcycling engages many young people in sporting activities, helping to reduce crime and social disorder in addition to fielding world class athletes and Champions in many disciplines.
Public policy remains largely ignorant of motorcycling as a mainstream form of transport, but its contribution to other policy objectives is even less well understood. Road safety policy focuses almost entirely on improving riders without addressing those road and traffic conditions that too often make riders vulnerable. Industry is held back by policies which ignore its needs and the contribution it makes to the economy. Unnecessary restrictions are placed on organisers of motorcycle sport and social events and society is denied the opportunity to fully utilise the positive aspects of biking.
Motorcycling in a nutshell:
For further information about the key themes above, please look at www.ridersarevoters.org
'Riders Are Voters 2010' is supported by the main organisations representing UK riders, sport and industry.